Morris: Could missing owls have met with foul play?

Barn owls are common in the Bay Area. Owls and raptors often are accidentally poisoned after eating rats and gophers who are dying from "one feed kills" baits. (Darin Oswald/Idaho Statesman)

DEAR JOAN: We live in the Oakland hills, facing the valley side. Our neighborhood used to have at least two to three owls living in the streets and the nearby East Bay Ridge Trail entrance.

For past six months or so we have not heard a single hoot. What's up with our owls? We miss them.

Susan M.

Oakland

DEAR SUSAN: I really hope the answer is that the owls have moved on, finding homes that offer better hunting or cozier quarters. Owls are known to come back to original roosting spots, but they also move around.

My biggest fear, however, is that they have been poisoned, as hundreds of owls and raptors are each year by eating mice, rats and squirrels that have ingested so-called "one feeding kills" baits.

The baits are very popular and easily available. Pest control services also use them, setting the baits out in covered boxes.

In the interest of full disclosure, we have had the bait boxes here at the Contra Costa Times to control roof rats. Building services informs me they are aware of concerns and are looking at alternatives. I also used them at home until I realized the collateral damage being done, not to mention the horrific way they kill.

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These baits are designed to attract the "pest," which eats some and takes some back to the nest. The poison then starts to slowly kill the animal, attacking the liver and creating internal bleeding. It can take two to five days for the animal to die.

If the animal stays in an underground nest, the spread of the poison stops with that creature. But many times, the animal dies above ground.

Owls, raptors, foxes and coyotes find the dying creature and have an easy-to-catch dinner, but they are getting more than a meal. The poison is spread to them and they suffer the same agonizing fate. Other creatures may then eat them, which spreads the poison even further.

WildCare, an animal rehab group in San Rafael, recently reported the death of a great horned owl brought to their center. The owl, something of a neighborhood mascot, died from two types of rodenticides, Brodifacoum and Bromadiolone, the "one feeding kills" baits.

Area wildlife experts are finding baby owls, dead in their boxes, poisoned by the mice their parents bring in. It's a tragedy all around.

That's a long answer to your question, but it seemed like a good time to bring it up this prevalent and deadly issue. If you're using these baits, please think of the damage to wildlife that you may be doing. There are other ways to deal with pests.

Missing pug

A Pleasanton family still is searching for their missing pug, Holly, who was taken in a burglary of their home in October.

Concerned people have donated money for a reward fund that now stands at $5,000 for her safe return.

If you know where 5-year-old Holly is please call the Pleasanton Police Department at 925-931-5143.

Stars to the Rescue

Robin Williams will join Tony LaRussa and other stars in LaRussa's annual "Stars to the Rescue" to benefit the Anirmal Rescue Foundation, Jan. 5. Tickets are available.
Courtesy of ARF
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ARF
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Tony La Russa and his Animal Rescue Foundation will present the 22nd annual Stars to the Rescue gala at 7 p.m. Jan. 5 at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek.

Set to perform are Broadway vocalist Rich Hebert, singer Tony Orlando and Oscar-winning actor and comedian Robin Williams. The event helps support the many programs at ARF.

Tickets are available at 925-943-SHOW. Prices are $250, $100 and $45. For VIP tickets, contact Judy Bentley at 925-296-3154.